WASHINGTON, D.C. -- "Is it impossible to be Catholic and pro-abortion at the same time," said Judie Brown, president of American Life League, who is petitioning the Vatican to issue directives aimed at getting pro-abortion politicians who claim to be Catholic to either recant or face excommunication.

"Catholics who promote a pro-abortion, pro-sexual promiscuity legislative agenda are in direct conflict with Biblical principles and Catholic teaching," Brown said. "Pro-abortion Catholic lawmakers have become a stumbling block for faithful Catholics, and all people of good will, who strive to restore respect and protection for all innocent human beings. These political heretics are a constant disgrace and have confused and undermined the authentic teachings of the Church."

The petition lists as defendants approximately 50 members of Congress, as well as a number of other current or former political office holders. Thousands of people are expected to sign before the petition is submitted to the Vatican.

Brown said, "We are justified in pointing out that the defendants named in the excommunication petition 'commit a scandal to the Mystical Body of Christ and a sacrilege to the Eucharistic Body of Christ when received by them, and that they are subject to formal public excommunication unless they publicly recant of their explicit and implicit scandalous support of laws, policy and people that assault the innocent and profane the Catholic faith.'"

More information is available at the American Life League website- www.all.org.

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